From brain health to lifemaxing: 10 science-backed wellbeing goals to carry you through 2026

What are the biggest wellbeing trends for 2026? From supporting long-term brain health to becoming a guardian of your gut terrain, the evidence is clear: wellness is evolving from doing more to knowing what truly matters.

But with so many 2026 well-being trends reports and buzzwords to navigate, how can you spot the wellness fads from the fundamentals? That’s where we come in.

Why We’re Rethinking Wellbeing Trends for 2026

As experts in nutritional health, we’re often asked to share our thoughts on the biggest UK wellness trends, but at Ancient + Brave, we approach the future of wellness with a lighter, more personalised touch.

And that’s not because we don't see a value in well-being trend reports - they can provide helpful tips for mapping out your wellness goals for the year ahead. 

However, while wellness trends can offer inspiration, they typically recommend a “one-size-fits-all” approach- and this can lead to pressure to “fit the mould” at a time when what you really need is realistic daily rituals that work for you.

The Future of Wellness, According to Science

That’s why, this year, instead of setting out our 2026 wellbeing trends, we’ve asked Dr Jenna Macciochi, Director of Science of Innovation at Ancient + Brave, to share the science-backed wellness methods we can use to live healthy with purpose in 2026.

Created by drawing on the latest nutritional science, behaviour research and real-world insights from The Inner Circle - our cohort of trusted customers- the Ancient + Brave Future of Wellness report acts as your evidence-based ally as you navigate the health year ahead. 

Download the full report here, or if you're short on time, keep scrolling to discover our science-led 2026 wellbeing guide at a glance.

10 Evidence-Based Wellbeing Goals for 2026

Let Go of Wellness Perfectionism

Personalised daily rituals are thought to be one of the biggest wellbeing trends of 2026, and with 99% of our Inner Circle survey group agreeing that wellness should feel like self-care, not self-surveillance (1), a move towards measuring our health less by performance and more by how we feel is something we warmly welcome.

Try it yourself by swapping optimised wellbeing for working simple daily rituals into your day: a breathwork pause, a grounding stretch, your favourite Ancient + Brave ritual.

“When optimisation feels like a chore, choose what fits real life, allowing consistency, not intensity, to be the measure of success.” - Dr Jenna Macciochi.

Work With Female Biology, Not Against It

Female physiology is rhythmic, responsive and deeply interconnected, yet much of modern wellness has been built around linear, male-centred models of health.

Will 2026 be the year that you reject one-size-fits-all wellness in favour of products and programmes that celebrate female biology in its own right? Consider female-founded products that respect cyclical physiology, or sign up for female supplement health trials - such as those offered by our Inner Circle -  which aim to close the gender health gap.

Build Daily Wellness Rituals You Can Actually Sustain

93.2% of our Inner Circle survey says protecting future health is essential (1), so we’re delighted to see short-term solutions give way to sustainable wellbeing habits this year as subscriptions, wearables, and clinics step up to deliver early insight over late intervention.

New breathwork lounges and clinics supporting sleep and gut health can help you to embrace this new well-being era, but it remains important to set realistic health goals, grounding back to the basics - sleep, nature, light, and nutrition - using your toolkit of foundational Ancient + Brave rituals.

“When the basics are strong, everything else works better.” - Dr Jenna Macciochi. 

Get to Know Your Gut Terrain

Is better gut health at the top of your wellbeing wishlist? This next science-backed 2026 wellness practice is perfect for you.

Explore how the gut terrain can support everything from skin to immune resilience when you go beyond probiotics and support your gut by eating mindfully and regulating stress. 

With fibremaxxing more important than ever, try True Biome, fibre-forward gut care designed to feed, protect and restore the gut ecosystem. 82% reported a positive shift in gut health after just 12 weeks!

Nourish Beauty from Within 

Does building a healthy ageing routine feature high up on your health goals? In 2026, the cosmetic conversation shifts from short-term “glow” to long-term skin resilience as skin is increasingly viewed as a biomarker of our internal health.

Nourish beauty from within using functional skincare alongside anti-inflammatory nutrition, facial massage, nasal breathing exercises and restorative sleep. 

While collagen remains the OG way to support firm skin from the inside out, look for proof over promise, choosing clinically studied formulas, such as  Ancient + Brave’s  True Collagen, using True Omegas+ to further nourish skin radiance from within.

Shift from Lifespan to Healthspan

93.2% of our Inner Circle survey panel said protecting future health is essential (1), showing that longevity is so much more than a 2026 buzzword. 

Try lifemaxing. A wellbeing approach focused on improving healthspan rather than simply extending lifespan, this prioritises supporting your muscle, bone and metabolism with longevity training strength exercises - nourishing a fulfilled life, not just a long one.

Creatine can help you here, thanks to its unique ability to elevate both physical and mental performance. 

Rethink Recovery with the Power of Community

Have you noticed that wellness has become more social? Community-led wellness rituals are flourishing thanks to growing awareness that collective practices help regulate stress, mood and behaviour. 

Seek out community saunas, run clubs and group breathwork and enjoy conversation alongside recovery.

Support Your Brain Health to Beat Burnout

Burnout prevention takes priority in 2026, with almost 60% of our Inner Circle survey panel telling us that Brain health/memory was their top longevity priority (1). 

To help protect your brain from cognitive overload this year, build brain health into daily life by protecting the fundamentals: sleep and stable blood sugar, and carving out screen-free days alongside plenty of nootropic nutrition.

Choose Science-Backed Over Ultra-Processed

Are you fed up with splashing out on supplements only to find they’re packed with filler ingredients? You're not alone. 86.4% of our survey panel said that clinically backed evidence is one of their most important considerations when choosing a wellness product (1).

The good news? In 2026, more and more of us will read the label, not the hype, checking  

whether claims are backed by clinical data before we buy. 

As a B-Corp wellbeing business committed to delivering proof over promises, we welcome this change with open arms.

Build Your Own Blue Zones to Beat Toxic Load

If managing your exposure to microplastics and forever chemicals is your main 2026 goal, this last wellbeing practice is perfect for you.

Rather than striving for purity, shift towards resilience. Support your body’s natural defences with antioxidant-rich foods, regular sauna and time in nature, alongside choosing responsibly sourced wellness products with clean supply chains.

We hope that you have enjoyed this quick look at the trends shaping the wellness year ahead. To find out more and explore these 2026 well-being practices in more detail, download the full Ancient + Brave Future of Wellness report here.